Kevin Pietersen ruled out of Champions Trophy by knee injury

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy this summer as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Pietersen, 32, missed the third Test against New Zealand in March because of bruising on the bone and was already set to sit out the return Test series.

However, a scan on Wednesday confirmed he will miss the one-day internationals and Champions Trophy that follow.

Analysis

"It's more serious than England thought back in March when Pietersen pulled out of the Test series in New Zealand. This is dragging into the summer and he'll have been off for around three months by the time he's back, with three weeks to go before the Ashes if he's on that schedule.

"From an England perspective, they'll think 'let's get him sorted out'. He's having the rest he wanted anyway, albeit an enforced one, and let's hope he hits the ground running with three weeks to go."

The England & Wales Cricket Board said in a statement: "The scan has shown some improvement in the bruising to the bone that occurred in the build up to the Test series against New Zealand in February.

"However, Pietersen will not have recovered sufficiently in time for the one-day series against New Zealand beginning 31 May and the Champions Trophy which follows.

"Pietersen will now start a graduated rehabilitation program with a view to resuming full training by the middle of June."